Parabolic Skis Guide
Human creatures have, for the past 4.5 thousand years, found snow skis useful to increase mobility under certain conditions. But, only within the last 150 years has skiing become popularized as a recreation or sport. The roots of modern skiing can be traced to well known 1800s Norwegian pioneers, Sondre Norheim (the father of modern skiing), and Torjus and Mikkhel Hemmestvei (creators of the worlds first ski school). Near St. Paul, Minnesota, in the United States, is a tribute to Pete Dennison, 1909-1988, the apparent father of skiing in the USA. Skiing was also rooted in early American industry. As early as the 1850s, the wooden snow ski was used as an aid in the conveyance of men and materials around the gold fields of the Sierra Nevada range.
Throughout the 20th century skiing developed into a multibillion dollar industry, having gained innumerable enthusiasts and professional skiers along the way. The popularity of skiing steadily increased around the world as advancements in ski technology made skiing safer and more enjoyable. From the poor to the posh, increases in the number and quality of ski resorts have supported all classes of ski enthusiast, and they made skiing a top winter sport and social activity. Warmer clothing, secure bindings, advanced ski manufacturing practices and materials, and enticing ski resort advertisements, combine to encourage individual and family participation.
Late in the ’80s, and early ’90s, a new trend developed in the design of skis, namely, the parabolic ski. Also known as the side-cut, curved, or shaped ski, the parabolic ski has proven to be a spectacular boom to the skiing industry. Although, initially, the parabolic ski was not well received by the proverbial dyed-in-the-wool skiers, it had been labeled a ‘cheaters ski’. The shaped ski soon made significant progress as the ski of choice near the novice hills.
Many thought the parabolic design was for kids, and was sometimes deemed the neophyte’s toy ski. But that’s exactly how the ski became so popular. Students who learned with rented shaped skis eventually bought their own; they already knew how well the shaped ski performed.
The learning curve for new skiers is a very steep. Ski instructors around the globe learned that parabolic skis were easier to teach. Learning progressed more rapidly. Ultimately, students achieved greater confidence and skill in a shorter time. A Greater number of new students could access the slopes more quickly. Swelling numbers of motivated skiers translates to more frequent patronage and hot chocolate sales. Everyone is a winner with the parabolic ski.
Parabolic skis are characterized by narrow centers, and wide tips and tails. This shaping of the ski gives them a larger sweet spot, and greater stability over normally fashioned skis. At least one manufacturer has taken an astonishing step in it’s quest to develop the quintessential ski system. They have introduced the parabolic quad skis; a system which incorporates a double set of shaped skis for each foot.
The benefits of using the parabolic ski are numerous and interesting. No single ski design has added more value to the average skiing experience. Old timers will now admit to an increased sense of agility while slipping down a snow covered slope on shaped skis. To achieve the same stability, parabolic skis need less length then a standard ski. In addition, greater balance, responsiveness, and maneuverability are realized under most ski conditions.
Parabolic skis give better performance in a smaller package. For example: If you normally use a 200cm ski, you would likely experience better performance, and more stability, with a shorter parabolic ski length of perhaps 170cm to 185cm. The word on the slope is that the parabolic ski is more forgiving as well.
Not only has the parabolic ski aroused greater attention in the arena of extreme skiing, but it has placed more opportunity on the feet of less then average skiers. Shaped skis have made the sport of skiing more popular, as well as safer. They allow for tighter turns at slower speeds with more control, thus allowing for enhanced collision avoidance techniques.
Of course, there are limitations to the wonderfully versatile parabolic ski design. If a skier wishes to achieve the fastest speeds attainable on the hardest of snow-pack, while at the same time having little concern for heavy maneuvering and quick stops, then perhaps the parabolic is not the answer. In this case a stiff straight ski might be a better choice. But if maneuverability in rough or powder snow is your thing, the parabolic is the king. For all round skiing, you just can’t go wrong with a shaped ski.
Ninety percent of the skis made today are parabolic. They are easier to learn with, they add tremendous enjoyment to the skiing experience, they are extremely versatile under a variety of ski slope conditions, and they are more easily transported. No wonder why the parabolic ski seems to have contributed more to the skiing industry then any other recent advancement in ski technology. If perhaps Ugg the cave man of 4500 years ago had worn a pair, he might have felt less inclined to bid the retreating ice shelves farewell.
